If you come by plane you will arrive to a modern airport facility only 10 min. from
Downtown Zihuatanejo and 15 min. from the
main Boulevard in Ixtapa.
Regular direct itinerary flight services are provided by (mostly
non-stop):
From places where we
don't have direct flights, you can find many attractive options with easy
and fast connections (connection through a city in USA or Mexico City).
 If you're coming from abroad in a non-stop flight,
please be sure to have your "Tourist Card" (FMT) and "Custom Declaration"
forms ready and signed before you deplane to avoid delays on the respective
counters. Also, upon departing from the
official area please keep your "Tourist Card" in a safe place; a new law states
that if you loose it, you must paid US$42.00 for a replacement card (it is not
longer free).
In
our destination the Official Customs have a traffic light for inspections. It's a random
system; the percentage of red lights that will motive a luggage revision regardless of
immigration status is approximately of 20% (two of every ten passengers). Families traveling together
are considered as one.
Import allowances are more relaxed for tourists than for locals but for your
information in case you get a red light, our law states that articles are
free of taxes up to US$300.00 per person (pax). Some restrictions do apply as in the case of Cigarettes and
Cigars, 20 packs or cigars per pax; Hard Liquor, 2 bottles per pax or in
case of Wine,
3 bottles per pax (excess items may
be subject to duty). Also, for some food items and especially for plants, fruits and seeds
(fresh or packed). No problems with fishing gear, golf clubs, surfing boards, photographic
camera, video equipment and laptop computer if they are for your
personal use.
Temporary importation of hunting fire arms require a previous permit from the
Mexican Consulate in your country.
Ground Transportation
(Airport-Hotel)...
Ground
transportation from Airport to Town is available through the "Airport
Taxi Service" companies with exclusive (private) or shared services. City
cabs are not allow to pick-up passenger at airport.
Exclusive service in Chevrolet's Suburban for up to 8 persons,
around US$53.00 (Zihuatanejo) to US$58.00 (Ixtapa); Exclusive car for up to 4 persons, about US$28.00
(Zihuatanejo) to US$32.00 (Ixtapa); Shared service in car, suburban or bus (according to demand), approx. US$11.50
(Zihuatanejo) to US$15.00 (Ixtapa) per person. Rates are higher for
points outside the main areas of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo; for example to Club Med, Melia
Azul, etc.
If
you're coming on your own after picking-up your luggage and departing from the
arrival terminal (or Customs lounge) you will find the Airport Taxi Service counters
(TAXI signs). You can purchase your tickets with Mexican, American or Canadian currencies. If
you are coming on a package, tour, group, etc., please look for the persons holding a sign
related to you, they will advise you of your transportation arrangements.
Once you leave the arrival gate or after buying your transportation ticket
people may approach you to offer assistance. Be careful in readily
accepting offers or GIVING A CASH DEPOSIT on so-called "free transportation to
town", "transportation refunds", "special deals on tours", "free
breakfasts", etc., these are time-share or vacation clubs salesmen.
Usually you must attend a sales section if you want to get the benefits
or a refund of your money. Also, if
you need to buy transportation services (taxi), do it yourself at the counters,
do not let them get it for you or you may be over charged. If they
bother you or give you bad information, please make an immediate complaint with the
authority!.
Be
advised that some drivers may recommend other property than the one you have
planned for lodging. Please use your own judgment!!!, the driver is
probably doing
it
because he gets paid a commission not because you may get a better deal or
a better place.
At airport we suggest to tip the porters US$1.00
(MX$10.00) per big bag.
You'll also find Rent-a-Car agencies at our airport. You may rent a car
here or pick-up the car you have previously reserved through another office
of the company, even when booked on another country. (For information on car rentals see "Local Transportation")
Sometimes it could be cheaper to rent a car in
advance at your place of origin because of the special deals they may offering
but be sure that they guarantee the car will be available. (Tip for USA and Canada visitors).
If you want to view a floor map of our airport with
location of services, please [click
here] (java
enabled browser is required)
You can buy "packages" (airfare and hotel included) or "air only
seats" (transportation only) with many Charters Companies who fly to
our destination mostly between November through April of every high winter season.
Some Charter Airlines also have flights during low season with one or two frequencies
per week.
Charter flights provided by:
 |
APPLE VACATIONS |
|
MLT VACATIONS |
|
CHAMPION
AIR |
|
RYAN
INTERNATIONAL |
|
FUNJET
VACATIONS |
|
SUNWING VACATIONS |
|
LIBERACION
 |
|
TRANSGLOBAL |
|
MAGNICHARTERS
|
|
and other
companies. |
 |
- Only within Mexico. |
If you prefer to come by land in your own or rented vehicle and if it's
going to be your first time, it's wise to seek advise
from very reliable sources for the best and safest routes to our destination.
Also, we recommend to read the information offered in the link below. During the daylight hours the Angeles Verdes (Green Angels)
offer FREE motorist assistance (car break down, etc.); it's a service by the Secretaría de Turismo (Federal
Tourist Bureau).
If you're coming from Uruapan/Morelia area, on
highway MEX-200 from "Feliciano Toll Booth" to our resort you may find
alongside de road information and/or lodging offer stands. Take precautions and
avoid being misinformed or ripped-off.
To read detailed information about the roads to
our destination please [click here];
includes map, travel times, toll-fares, lots of tips, warnings by motorists and
much more. Recommended
if you'll do the driving.
You can also
do it in comfortable and luxurious buses or in less comfortable but more economic
services. You will see fantastic sea views if you are coming from Acapulco or
spectacular mountain sceneries if it is from El Bajio (lowlands)
area.
Bus services provided by:
(Some companies allow reservations and/or ticket purchases "online" through
their websites)
Companies that provide elite services () include: luxury
or first class bus with air conditioner, a non-stop or
limited-stops (according to distances), movies (in most cases) and
refreshments on board. About 7.5 hours from Mexico City
(US$50.00), day and night services. Around 4 hours from Acapulco
(US$15.00), day services. Approx. 4 hours
from Morelia (US$32.00) and 7.5 hours from Guadalajara
(US$45.00) with departures in mornings and afternoons. About 8 hours from
Queretaro or Leon,
and 7 hours from Salamanca,
Irapuato and Celaya.
Most bus lines at major terminals honor credit cards for tickets
purchase.
Other bus services (Second
Class, Economy Class,
etc) are considerable cheaper but slower due to many stops on the way. Also,
they are operated with basic buses (usually without air conditioner or TV). Departures and arrivals during the day, from Mexico City
(US$30.00 to US$40.00),
Acapulco (US$7.00 to US$12.00) and Morelia
(US$25.00). Nowadays, some companies offer Economy Class service with Air
Conditioner.
You can visit us aboard a Pleasure Cruise Ship with a stop-over
in Zihuatanejo (stop is between 5 to 10 hours
depending on the cruise line) and that will give you plenty time for your own exploration
trip of our cities or enjoy one of the many and interesting tours offered by your cruiser
company. You will also have enough time for souvenirs shopping and for that,
we have a very large Tourist Market only 3 blocks away from
the pier. We are sure that you will like our destination so much that you'll
want to return soon for a great vacation with us.
If you purchased a tour
onboard, upon disembarkation walk to the end of the pier (toward mainland) and look for
the tour operator personnel holding a sign related to your side-trip. If you
want to hire a private guide or take a Taxi, you will find their booths in
this area too. If you want to be on your own for a walk in our town, make a
right turn at the end of the pier to get to the fishermen's walk (beachfront
promenade) that will take you to our main downtown area (Main Plaza where
the basketball court is located, about 2 blocks from pier).
The Cruise Ship Lines that make a port-of-call in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo
during their annual Mexican Riviera and/or
Pacific programs
are:
Cruiser ships anchor in Zihuatanejo Bay and they
use their own "tender boats" to bring passengers to the pier.
It is a short and safe ride of approx. 5 minutes.
We suggest that if you plan to take a local tour,
purchase it onboard or at the Private Guides booth at the end of the pier;
do not take risks with "freelancers" that may offer these services
outside the pier area (fishermen's walk, streets, etc.). Note: Private Guide
and Taxi booths at pier are in service only during cruiser's operation
hours.
According to surveys, many tourist that disembark in Zihuatanejo for the
very first time, return for a full vacation in our place.
If you're planning to come in your own sailboat or
yacht, please [click
here] to read basic information and help.
Check with your local Travel Agency for other options on how to get to
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, they will be able to find you the fastest route and the best
prices. If you think our information site has been helpful and your Travel Agent doesn't know
about it, please recommend us. Thank you. |
Tips
for your return trip home (by air)...
 VERY IMPORTANT: Tight security measures have been
implemented in our airport due to the incidents is USA (9-11). To comply with
TSA and FAA security recommendations,
passengers
for International flights are required to check-in at least 90 minutes before scheduled departure; for
National flights at least 60 minutes and you MUST show a valid I.D. If you don't abide by this requirement, you
won't be allow to board the aircraft.
Remember that FAA Regulations prohibits to pack in your carry-on
baggage: any type
of explosive material, fuels, matches, solvents and acids, spray cans,
any type of cutting object (knifes, scissors, cutters, nail clippers,
corkscrew, glass), etc. Items that might represent a hazardous threat
to the flight security WILL BE CONFISCATED (they will not be carry by
the airline, those items will stay behind). If you have any doubts on
check-in time or carry-on, we
recommend to consult the airline office or its representative in
advance.
To comply
with new regulations emitted by the ICAO (International Civil Aviation
Organization) which is part of the UN, beginning January 1st. 2006 ALL
BAGGAGE WILL BE INSPECTED at check-in (not just the carry-on). It's
recommended to arrive at the airport at least 2 HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE
on all international flights.
Before you leave our towns on your way to the airport for your trip back home, exchange
your Mexican Pesos (M.N.) to your country currency. We do not have a Bank or Money
Exchange House at the Airport presently.
If you are a foreigner and leaving Mexico, don't forget to return your "Tourist Card" to the airline's employee
when documenting at ticket counter.
If you are leaving in an international flight, after the security
check-point and inside the departure lounge there is a DUTY FREE SHOP where
you can buy liquor, cigarettes, perfumes and gifts, free of taxes.
Free Wi-Fi
internet is available at most locations inside airport.
It is strictly forbidden
to smoke in any area inside our airport. If you want to do so, you
must be in the outside of the building.
Do not leave
your luggage unattended, it will be picked up by the security personnel
and you may loose some precious time getting it back (you may loose your
flight).
A
final tip: If by any reason your flight is delayed, don't be tempted to
have too many "margaritas" or "tequilas" to kill the
time, if you are in an inconvenient condition, YOU WON'T BE ALLOW TO BOARD
THE PLANE.
HAVE A VERY
NICE TRIP BACK HOME
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RETURN !!!
If you want
to read basic information on documents required to visit Mexico, please [click here]
(by air, land and sea; also consulates, embassies, etc.).
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our site, please let us know with an e-mail |
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